NH 37 plays a vital role for uninterrupted supply of goods in violence-hit Manipur
NH 37 has emerged as an important alternative to move supplies into the Valley after NH 2 was blocked post onset of ethnic violence in Manipur. NH 37 has played a critical role in sustaining the embattled population of Manipur with an average of 300 trucks moving per day under protection of Police/ Security forces. The move on NH 37 was achievable due to hill tribes not imposing any blockades on this route. The move was unopposed even from Kuki population of Jiribam along with Meitei and Naga, worked towards keeping the highway open in the hope that some of the supplies would also reach the Kuki people in the affected districts adjoining the Imphal Valley. In the last three months, despite the acrimony, the Meitei-Kuki community has at-least cooperated for movement along NH 37 for the common good for their people. However, incidents of 11/12 August in Jiribam have exposed the shallowness of certain organizations like ‘Leeching’ which imposed a public curfew in Jiribam. Entire Meitei population of Jiribam was mobilised by ‘Leeching’ and they cut off entire move along NH 37. It was indeed ironical that move of supplies to majority Meitei People of Imphal Valley was blocked on NH 37 for the first time by their own community in Jiribam. The Jiribam incident on 11/ 12 August leading to blockade by Meitei community is a stark reminder that if this disturbance is allowed to foster indefinitely then all lines will be blurred and there will be no winners.
